A Study on Knowledge Regarding Menstruation and Menstrual Hygiene among School Girls of Karad

Abstract

Background: Menarche is an important milestone in women’s life usually occurring between 12-14 years of age. It reflects the health status of the population as it marks as the beginning of sexual maturation. The adolescent girls usually undergo menarche unprepared and they lack the knowledge of menstruation and also practice poor hygiene. Poor hygiene and inadequate self-care practices have major determinants of morbidities and other complications. Therefore, it is important to spread awareness of menstruation and its proper hygiene practices. Materials and Methods: A community-based survey was conducted among 84 school girls of Karad. Data was collected using a questionnaire including the demographic information of each participant. The duration of study was 6 months. Results: The study revealed that the mean age of menarche was 11.05 years. Out of total participants, 44.05% girls had poor knowledge of menstruation and 35.71% girls had poor hygienic practices during menstruation. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is a prevalence of early menarche and it is associated with various factors. The adolescent girls should be made aware about menstruation and its hygiene at an early age. The girls who attained menarche early had a poor knowledge than that of the girls who attained menarche at a normal age.